“Alvena.” Kai’s voice sounded strange.
She turned to look at him. His face looked full of tortured thoughts. She took a step forward and then stopped.
“Do you regret last night?” His voice sounded nothing like him. It was so full of devastation. His blue eyes searched her face, looking for something, that Al was afraid he wouldn’t find. “Please?” His voice came out on only a breath of air. His hands clenched at his side.
She looked at him and her heart broke. She lasted only a matter of seconds, before she was rushing to him and jumping into his arms. Fuck it. I’m already gonna be hurt. Kai clung to her, his arms like steel bands around her.
“I’m never letting you go.” He whispered into her hair. “I won’t survive if you leave.”
A tear fell down Al’s face as she clung to the man who had found a way to have significance in her life. She could no longer deny that she loved him. Society would think it too fast and too soon, but it was out of her control. Her heart had made its decision without her consent, and it had decided that the time with Kai had been enough to make it. Her only hope was that Kai had meant what he had whispered into her hair, because she wouldn’t survive it if he left her either.
After a few more minutes in each other’s arms, Kai stepped away. He smiled and wrapped one arm around her shoulder. Pulling her to his side, he began walking to where the motorcycle waited.
“Time to hit the road.” He said as he straddled the Harley and handed her the helmet.
She pulled it on and clicked the straps, as Kai put out a hand and helped her onto the bike behind him. With a roar he maneuvered the bike down the dirt lane and back on to the paved road.
Al clung to Kai as the motor vibrated between her legs, the road sped beneath her, and she decided right then that she would enjoy today and worry about tomorrow, tomorrow.
***
Kai had originally planned on heading to Lafayette to catch a flight to Denver, but after seeing the men that were after his mate at the pub, he wanted to put as much distance between them as possible. Not to mention that when they had left the pub, he had driven without any conscious thought about where they were heading. Every molecule of his being had zoned in on her breathing and her arms tight around him, feeling for continuous even breaths and a tight grip. His only concern her health and safety. Today after leaving the barn, he had found that he had driven them farther north than he had originally thought to go. He could only hope that the hired men were looking around Baton Rouge and all of the close airports for them, and that he was indeed getting them farther away from trouble.
Unfortunately, he found it difficult to concentrate on navigation. His thoughts returned again and again to the night before. As they drove down country roads, staying off the main highways and routes, the road blurred into a haze under his tires. He had woke with her taste on his tongue, the feel of her skin under his fingers, and her cinnamon smell all around him. Kai wanted to wake up like that every morning, with a bare Alvena in his arms. Flashes of her warm skin, her taste, and her smell kept going through his mind as he fought to keep the Harley balanced and on the road. Kai felt that now that he and Alvena had had sex the connection between them was even stronger. The thought of losing her caused a physical pain in his chest. She was the only woman that he would ever want from this day forward. If she no longer existed in this world, Kai knew he wouldn’t either.
The only way to keep Alvena safe was to get her to Tiranam Dásig and complete the mating ceremony. He did not know the reason the men were after her and her friends, but it appeared to have something to do with being a possible mate for a Dásreach. However, once mated it wouldn’t matter, because as his mate, Alvena would also become dragon. She would connect to her own spirit guardian and be able to shift into a smaller version, but no less formidable dragon. Those men would have no defense against her. Not to mention the enhanced healing abilities. Yes, he would still worry about her, her importance to him would allow nothing else, but as a dragon she could defend herself from any enemy. Kai had to get Alvena in front of the Shaman and have him perform the mating ceremony. Now, if they could only get to an airport that would get them as far as Denver.
*
After only a few hours, that seemed so much longer, of riding which included a stop to get his bearings and something to eat, they were outside of Shreveport, Louisiana. He only hoped that he would be able to get a flight from the Shreveport Regional Airport to Denver with no problems. Kai parked the Harley in the short-term parking lot which was closest to the entrance and turned the engine off. He sat staring at the doors to his future. Would he be able to keep Alvena safe? Would she be able to accept what they had between them? Only what lay on the other side of those doors and the other side of their flight would answer those questions. He prayed to the Great Spirit that the answer to both was yes.
“Kai? We going in?” Alvena asked from behind him.
“Aye. Of course, lass. I was just scoping things out first.” He answered as he did just that.
Alvena maneuvered herself off of the bike. She had become an expert since they had started the trip from the pub. Kai had noticed her gaining confidence in her riding ability as they rode. She still clung to him tightly, but she had relaxed and no longer sat stiff as a board. Once she was a few steps back, he put down the kickstand and got off himself. He looked at the Super Glide.
“I guess it really doesn’t matter where we park it, since we won’t be coming back.” Kai mumbled to himself.
“Thank God.” Alvena moaned behind him. “My ass will be numb for weeks from riding that thing.”
She rubbed her arse and turned to him with a look of gratitude on her face. Kai couldn’t help but laugh. Alvena had a way of saying the right thing when he needed it.
“I doubt that, lass. Let’s go check on possible flights.” He grabbed her hand, “If we have time we’ll see about grabbing something to eat. I’m sure the flight will take a few hours.” Kai started walking across the parking lot to the sidewalk and crosswalk that led to the doors.
“You know what I really want?” Alvena asked.
“No, what, Lass?” Kai reached out and held her hand as they walked across the crosswalk.
“A bath.” She sighed.
He chuckled and opened the door for her. As they entered, he immediately saw the ticket counters off to the right. He approached one that had an agent. He didn’t really care which airline they went out on, he just wanted to get to Colorado.
“As soon as possible, lass, you will have that bath.” He said to Alvena as he turned to the young girl behind the ticket counter.
The girl’s mousy brown hair pulled back in a tight bun and her polo shirt with the airline logo made her appear younger than she obviously was trying to look. She stood up straight and tugged at her clothes as her eyes roamed over Kai’s tall frame. He felt Alvena step closer to his side and loop her arm around his waist.
“We need two tickets to Denver, Colorado.” Alvena said with a bit of edge.
Kai looked down at her and saw her looking pointedly at the girl.
“Sir, would you and your sister like a direct flight or can you have stops?” The girl said to Kai as she turned a 100-watt smile on him.
“My fiancé and I would love a direct flight. The sooner the better.” Alvena seethed at the girl as she stepped in front of Kai.
Kai couldn’t help but smile. His mate had called him her fiancé and she was very obviously jealous.
“Aye, my lass here is dying to get home.” Kai answered as he nudged up beside Alvena.
“I see.” The airline attendant pursed her lips and began to clack on her keyboard. “Well, it appears the soonest we can get a non-stop flight to DEN would be tomorrow at 10:10 a.m. Would you like me to book it for you?”
“Shite. There’s nothing sooner?” Kai smiled at her and leaned on the counter.
He winked at her for good measure. You get more with honey. He thought. Alvena huffed at his sid
e and walked a few paces away looking along the other counters.
“Well, if you wanted to leave sooner you could catch a flight to another city and transfer to a flight heading to Denver from there.”
Kai thought about it and decided that the possible danger in making one or more stops was too great. They needed a non-stop flight. His people would meet them at the airport, so he wouldn’t have to worry about the mercenaries trying to attack them there. However, other cities and connecting flights would allow them too many chances to be found. No, Kai wouldn’t chance it.
“How about one of the other airlines? Maybe they have one. I really don’t want to have to wait until tomorrow. My fiancé had her purse stolen along with our luggage. As you can see, having to wait until tomorrow would be a bit trying for her, what with no wallet and no mobile. We need to get home so she can call everyone and report the theft before it’s too late.”
“I wish I could help you sir, but United Airlines is the only airline with non-stop flights to Denver from Shreveport, and tomorrow morning is the soonest.” The attendant responded with irritation.
Unfortunately, it appeared that having a fiancé had canceled her ability to be pleasant to him.
“I guess we’ll take two seats on the flight tomorrow morning then.” Kai responded while pulling his wallet out.
He handed his license and credit card over to her.
“My name is on my license and my fiancé’s is Alvena Anderson.” Kai wasn’t happy about giving their real names, but it would cause further problems for them if they lied and then couldn’t get the flight.
He looked around and found Alvena looking through some pamphlets. She had that Valkyrie stance going for her again. Damn! I love that woman.
“Sir, I need you to sign here.” Kai turned to the attendant and took the offered pen.
Once the airline attendant completed the processing and printed the tickets, she handed them to Kai.
“Now, sir, you will want to make sure to arrive early because your fiancé will need to go through a verification process to get on the plane since she doesn’t have ID. Have a nice day and thank you for choosing United Airlines.” She immediately turned away and began messing with some tags on a shelf behind the counter.
Kai looked over at Alvena and wished that things had went better today, but this would at least give them one more night together before heading to Tiranam Dásig. He looked at her dingy jeans with stains from sleeping in the barn and her wrinkled and windblown appearance from riding the Harley. He was sure she would be horrified at the way she looked, but Kai couldn’t see her as anything but beautiful. He’d take her to the hotel so she could take the bath she had mentioned and then he would find a store and buy her something to change into along with a few other necessities… like a box of condoms. He had been lucky that his brothers had tormented him when he headed to Ohio and placed one in his wallet, but he had no more on him and if he had his way they would need several.
Kai looked down at the tickets. This waiting could be a good thing. He grinned and took the tickets over to Alvena.
“Well, it appears we’re going to have to stay here overnight. How about we get a room at the hotel I saw across the way?” Kai whispered into her ear.
Alvena smacked at him and inched away to his right.
“What? You couldn’t sweet talk your new girlfriend back there?” She snapped at him.
“Alvena, lass.” Kai tried to grab her hand to pull her to him.
“Don’t you Alvena, lass, me. You talk about us being mates and then you flirt with her?” She stood and looked at him with her hands on her hips. His Valkyrie.
“Lass, you know the honey and vinegar analogy? Well, that’s all that was. She was acting like she was going to be unhelpful and I was just trying to get her to be more helpful. You are my mate and that girl held no interest to me other than to get us tickets out of here.” He pleaded with her.
“Whatever. How long do we have until the flight?” She asked as she glanced at the tickets in his hand.
“Now see, you weren’t even listening.” He smirked at her.
“Hey, you’re the one that snuck up on me and whispered something in my ear. You’re lucky I didn’t turn around a deck you.” She grouched at him. “When’s the flight?”
Alvena was really unhappy with him. Fuck. He should have known better than to try that with the girl. Kai knew how insecure Alvena was about their relationship. Why did he do it? He obviously wasn’t thinking. Damn it. He was afraid he was back at square one with her.
“Tomorrow, lass. But, the good news is that you’ll be able to get that bath you wanted.” He said as he finally grabbed her hand and pulled her to the doors to the parking lot.
Alvena groaned and rubbed her arse. “Not the bike again?”
“Sorry lass, but it’s just to get across the road. I saw a hotel there.” He said as he opened the door for her while hiding his smile.
Chapter 25
Al wanted to kick herself for acting the way she had. She was not the jealous type. Besides, she and Kai were not really engaged. Why did she even say that? She kept telling Kai that she couldn’t be his mate, and then she acted like a clingy jealous fiancé. Argh. She was so confused and frustrated. She had told herself to enjoy the time they had together and then she had practically staked a claim. What was Kai thinking and what would Al do?
Kai had seemed a bit quiet while he brought them to the hotel and checked them in. He had gotten them a lovely room with a whirlpool tub, which she had immediately jumped into. She had hoped the jets would help her relax, but she felt just as tense as she had before spending 20 minutes in the hot and steamy water. There was no need to guess the reason behind the tension. It was the one huge bed sitting in the room outside the bathroom door. There was a single orange chair in the room, which was by no means big enough to be used to sleep in. Of course, why would she even think he would sleep anywhere other than the bed with her after last night. Alas, that was the problem. She didn’t know what his expectations were and his quiet demeanor while they had checked in and came to the room had given her no further clues.
A light knock at the door startled her. Some of the water splashed out of the tub and onto the floor.
“Lass, you okay in there? You haven’t fallen asleep have you?” Kai’s voice was muffled by the door.
“I’m fine. Just getting ready to get out.” She replied.
“No hurry, lass. You were just really quiet when I returned with food.” He answered. “There’s a microwave, so you can reheat yours when you’re done.”
“No, no. I’m getting out. Just a few more moments.” She quickly assured him.
“Oh, Alvena, I got you a few things to change into, so you wouldn’t have to wear your dirty clothes.” Kai called through the door.
This is why she had fallen for this man. He was always thinking of her needs. She hadn’t even thought of the fact that she would have to put her dirty clothes back on, but he had.
“Lass, if you stick your hand out the door, I’ll hand you the bag.” He offered.
“Oh. Yes. Of course. Hold on. Let me get out of the tub and grab a towel first.” She hurriedly replied and reluctantly got out of the tub.
Alvena cracked open the door one handed. Her other hand grasped the too small towel she had wrapped around her body. She smiled shyly at Kai. He grinned back.
“I’m sorry to interrupt your bath.” He rumbled as he handed her a very full bag.
“What in the world did you get? Is some of this for you?” She asked as she tried to glance into the bag one handed. Kai chuckled.
“No, lass. That’s all yours. Mine are out here. I’ll jump in the shower once you’re done.” He assured her with one of his trademark grins.
Seeing those dimples helped Alvena relax more than the fancy tub had. He was still Kai. Still her Kai.
“Okay.” She sighed.
They stood and stared at each other for quite some time before the air on
her skin made Alvena shiver.
“Um, I guess I’d better get dressed.”
“Alright, lass, there are a few things that you might be able to sleep in and shirts for tomorrow. I didn’t know your jeans size, so you’ll have to wear the sweats I bought or your dirty jeans.” He rambled as he looked at her from head to toe.
Al glanced down quickly to make sure the barely there towel covered the important parts.
“Oh, I’m sure these will be great.” Alvena looked around the bathroom trying to figure out what to do.
“Step back. I’ll close the door for you.” After she moved back into the bathroom, Kai grabbed the door handle and pulled the door closed.
Alvena laid her head against the closed door. What was she going to do with that man?
“Oh, and lass, I’m going to call Dar while I wait on you, so don’t worry about hurrying.” His voice startled her. The man was always sneaking up on her and startling her, whether with his actions or his words.
***
Kai stood by the door just listening to Alvena move around inside of the bathroom. When he had returned and didn’t hear her, just the water and noise from the jets on the tub, the worst case scenarios had popped into his head. He hadn’t wanted to bother her, wanting to allow her time to enjoy the bath, but he had to make sure she was still in there and still safe.
Her look of gratitude when he had handed her the bag of clothes, was priceless to him. It had made it worth asking for directions to the store and then driving over and searching through the 24-hour stores’ women’s department. He had gotten a few strange looks, but his Alvena was worth it. The older lady who had looked at him in the underwear aisle was priceless on her own, she had made it very obvious her thoughts about him being there. It made him laugh how people never think twice about a woman buying pants, but see a man looking through the women’s under things and they think he’s a perv.
Finding the Dragon (Dásreach Council Book 1) Page 26